Jazz Festival

Celebrating over 40 years of TCU Jazz

The annual TCU Jazz Festival has become one of the most prestigious festivals in the state, connecting high school and middle school jazz ensembles with guest artists and TCU’s jazz faculty. Since its inception in 1978, the event has attracted more than 20,000 talented high school players. In addition, bands have attended the TCU Jazz Festival from as far away as Oklahoma, Tennessee, Iowa, and Hawaii.

2019 Jazz Festival

The TCU School of Music and Department of Jazz Studies is proud to announce the 42nd Annual TCU Jazz Festival, which will take place on March 22-23, 2019 on the TCU campus, featuring legendary Jazz drummer, Duffy Jackson.

Duffy Jackson is the son of Chubby Jackson, and played drums as a young child, making appearances with Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, and Buddy Rich before he finished high school. In 1971 he relocated to Los Angeles, where he played with Monty Alexander, Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Lena Horne, Milt Jackson, and Barney Kessel. Following a tour of Japan with Benny Carter, he appeared on television for two years with Sammy Davis, Jr. (1974-1976). Later in the 1970s he played with Grover Mitchell and did a tour of Europe with the Count Basie Orchestra. In the 1980s Jackson worked with Lionel Hampton, Al Jarreau, James Moody, and Sonny Stitt, and in 1985 re-joined the Basie orchestra while Thad Jones was its leader. Following this he worked with Illinois Jacquet and Artie Shaw, then re-joined the Basie Orchestra under Frank Foster. In the 1990s, he relocated to Fort Lauderdale, where he played with Harry Allen, Billy Ross, and the Manhattan Transfer.

The Friday evening concert will feature the TCU Jazz Faculty with our very special guest artist and drummer, Duffy Jackson. Mr. Jackson will also perform on Saturday evening with the TCU Jazz Ensemble and present a performance clinic at noon.

Texas Christian University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, masters, doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Texas Christian University.